Classrooms through Careers Continuum
In 2022, Erie 1 BOCES analyzed statewide education data in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings revealed high teacher turnover and a decline in students entering teacher preparation programs. To support a strong and sustainable regional teacher pipeline, Erie 1 BOCES launched the Classroom through Careers Continuum. This initiative begins with high school students enrolled in Career and Technical Education teacher prep programs (such as the New Visions Education Pathways Academy) and extends through retirement with the Interim Leadership Program, which places qualified retirees in temporary administrative roles with minimal onboarding. While many of these efforts existed prior to 2022, that year marked a strategic alignment of teacher pipeline and support initiatives under the continuum framework. This work is carried out in partnership with higher education institutions. Much of this work is made possible due to strong strategic partnerships with our local higher education institutions.
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Students learn the fundamentals of education through both theory-based and experiential learning. The program functions to show educator candidates everything that education has to offer, and ultimately allows students to select and consider the areas they find most relevant and appealing. Topics of study include: classroom and behavior management, child and adolescent development, lesson planning and execution, data-driven instruction and assessment, social emotional learning and best teacher practices, and working with students with disabilities.
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Now in its fourth year, the Careers in Education Conference is a day-long event designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring careers in education. It offers students who are interested in a career in education and those with the potential to become educators an opportunity to engage with keynote speakers, attend breakout sessions, and network with local higher education programs. Each year, the conference reaches its capacity of 200 students. The event is held in partnership with regional colleges and universities, with hosting responsibilities rotating annually.
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Effective Leadership: District Office is a full-day professional learning opportunity targeted toward currently seated school leaders. This session is led by Erie 1 Superintendents (Dr. Graham, Mr. Cimato, Dr. Frahm, Dr. Krueger & Ms. Kersten) and their district office leadership teams. Participants receive an overview of the essential functions of central office operations, including the roles and responsibilities of the Special Education, Human Resources, and Business Offices. The session highlights the working relationship between these offices and the Superintendent, as well as strategies for effective collaboration with district stakeholders. The day concludes with an overview of the Superintendent position.
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Now in its fifth year, the Erie 1 BOCES Teacher Residency CoSer offers a full-year placement for pre-certified teachers in their final year of study. In partnership with Buffalo State, Canisius, Niagara, and UB, the program builds a pipeline of qualified candidates for local districts. To date, 100% of participants have become certified and are teaching in Western New York. The residency benefits districts by helping fill anticipated vacancies, gives residents hands-on classroom experience, and provides students with additional instructional support.
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Erie 1 BOCES offers professional development across content areas to support educators and students. Training is delivered in-district, offsite, and virtually to meet the diverse needs of our districts. Each year, our teams host over 375 events totaling more than 1,300 hours of PD, with additional support provided directly in schools. Our staff includes 50 coordinators across seven specialized teams.
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School Human Resources Micro-Credential is a six-session series. It is intended for building-level and district office leaders, as well as staff who work within or alongside the Human Resources office. Facilitated by experienced school HR professionals and legal counsel (Mark Mambretti, Dana Floriano, JoAnn Balazs, Tony Olivio, Katie Smith, Kelly Eisenried, & Brian Doyle), the program provides practical instruction on personnel administration, labor relations, and compliance with employment law. Sessions cover the full employee lifecycle from hiring and onboarding to performance management and separation with a strong focus on reducing liability and improving operational effectiveness. Attendees will benefit from real-world lessons learned and best practices grounded in current law and policy. Participants who complete the full series will receive CTLE credit and an officially endorsed micro-credential from the University at Buffalo. In addition to the face-to-face meeting there will be approximetely one hour of on-line engagement for each session.
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The Erie 1 BOCES Interim Leadership Program provides districts with temporary administrative support by connecting them with a pool of experienced education retirees. These professionals can step into leadership roles with minimal onboarding, ensuring continuity for staff, students, families, and the community. Whether filling vacancies during hiring processes or covering leaves due to illness or parental leave, the program offers reliable, short-term solutions. Currently, over 40 retired administrators with backgrounds in both school buildings and district offices are available to serve. This initiative helps districts maintain stability while supporting long-term leadership planning.
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This seven-session series provides participants with an engaging and authentic learning experience. Facilitated by Erie 1 BOCES Superintendents, and faculty from local Educational Leadership programs, the series combines case studies, leadership simulations, and first-hand insights from practicing leaders. Participants explore various leadership roles within districts and reflect on best practices in leading schools and systems. The program also includes a shadowing experience with a school leader. As an added benefit, individuals who complete the series are eligible to receive one tuition-free course if they choose to enroll in a partner leadership certification program.
Offered in the winter through spring, the School Business Office Micro-Credential is an seven-session series. Facilitated by experienced School Business Officials, the program offers a deep dive into the essential functions of a public-school business office in New York State. Participants engage in targeted learning across seven core content areas, which include governance, budgeting, accounting, procurement, facilities management, operations, and leadership. Through a combination of workshops, online learning modules, and applied projects, participants earn a comprehensive microcredential endorsed by Buffalo State University. The program equips attendees with both technical knowledge and leadership skills necessary to successfully navigate and support the fiscal and operational functions of a school district.